Water forum to lay a charge against ministers

By Ofentse Mokae
05 May 2010

Three government ministers will each face a law suit when the National Water Forum lay criminal charges against them for jeopardising the country's water supply.

The Forum's Louis Meintjies says charges will be laid against Minister of Agriculture Tina Joemat-Peterson, Minerals Minister Susan Shabangu and Water Affairs Minister Buyelwa Sonjica.

Meintjies claims the ministers in question have not complied with the provisions of the National Water Act.

The National Water Forum says they will be laying criminal charges against government ministers and hold them responsible for jeopardising the country's water supply.

Meanwhile the Democratic Alliance has raised a concern over the growing debt owed to water boards by municipalities.

DA spokesperson on Water Affairs Gareth Morgan says during a portfolio committee meeting in parliament yesterday it emerged that just under R1.4bn is owed to water boards, of which over R704m is debt in arrears.

“It is evident that the arrears, that is, debt owing for more than thirty days, and in most of these cases, debt that has been owing for more than 120 days, is growing consistently. The situation is getting worse not better,” said Morgan.

Morgan called on Minister Water and Environmental Affairs to ensure that the National Treasury pressurises municipalities to pay their outstanding debts.